Multiple-sash-operating mechanism



C. RUPP. MULTIPLE SASH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED Ill/W15, 1919.

Patented May 31, 1921.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15' 19 19.

Patented May 31, 1921.

2 SHEETSQSHEET 2.

M W H a m V. w K I G G G G 4 #7 Y r r 2 H F 1 H 'UNITED STATES PATENT orFicE.

CHARLES RUPP, OF IEI-IILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 J. S. THO-RN COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

Application filed May 15,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHARLns Burr, a citizen of the United States, residing at 726 Vernon road, Stenton, Germantown, in the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new and useful Improvement in Multiple Sash Operating Mechanism, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to mechanism which may be applied to uniformly adjustably open and close what is called a continuous window sash, or a series of distinct sashes or shutters, for controlling the effective area of any opening, by means of an endless belt.

My invention includes unit groups of mechanism, all supported at intervals in the length of the opening to be controlled, each comprising two right hand and two left hand levers, associated with links which couple said levers in pairs and respectively connect the right hand levers with the sash .to the, right of the support for said unit group, and connect the left hand levers with said sash to the left of sai'djsupport, in mutually sustaining relation; so that each of said lever and link mechanisms supports its proportion of the weight of the endless belt aforesaid. e v

As hereinafter described, my invention in cludes means whereby the power for both opening and closing movement of the mechanism is transmitted by members which are under tension, such members including substantially rigid transmission rods which are coupled at their ends by flexible connectors, preferably chains, to form an endless belt; said rods being 50 arranged as to maintain the lines'of tension with the minimum camher, and said connectors affording the neces- 1 sary flexibility for the traverse ,of said belt MULTIPLE-SASI-I-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patntd M 31 1921;

1919. Serial No. 297,400.

to open and close sashes, shutters, or the like, hinged upon vertical axes.

My invention includes the various novel 1! .ieatures of construction and arrangement Fig. III is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, taken on the line III, III in Figs. I and II, showing the construction and arrangement of said sash and mechanism.

Fig. IV is a side elevation of one of the sash links which, in assembled position, directly connect the levers with the sash. Said links are all alike in shape and dimensions.

Fig. V is a side elevation of one of the outer right hand levers, which, in assembled position, is connected with the sash link shown in F ig. IV. The outer right and left hand levers are respectively differently shaped. Fig. VI is a side elevation of one of the inner right hand levers. The inner right and left hand levers are respectively differently shaped.

Fig. VII is a 'side'elevation of one of the lever coupling links; which, in assembled position, couple said levers shown in Figs. V and VI. Said coupling links are all alike in shape and dimensions.

Fig. VIII is a side elevation of one of the outer left hand levers.

Fig. IX is a side elevation of one of the inner left hand levers.

of one of the pivotal clamp fittings, which respectively connect said endless belt with each of said paired lever and link mechamsms.

In said figures: 1 and 2 indicate respectively opposite end walls of a building having the side wall 3 connecting said end walls 1 and 2, and including the opening 4, the

. Fig. X is a fragmentary perspective i showing the construction and arrangement effective area of which is to be controlled. Said wall has, at intervals of, say ten drawings.

feet, vertical columns 5, conveniently formed of pairs of angle irons opposed in rigid relation as shown in Figs. I and II. However, it is to be particularly noted, with reference to Fig. I, that said columns 5 are so spaced inwardly with respect to said opening 4 as not to interrupt the latter; so that said opening may be provided with a closure which is continuous past said columns. That construction and arrangement is advantageous in that such a single closure may be provided at less cost than a series of closures interrupted by columns. Said wall 3 also includes the horizontal top rails 7 and the horizontal bottom rails 8, conveniently secured'in rigid relation with said vertical columns 5, by suitable angle clips 6, as indicated in Fig. III; also vertical end rails 9; framing said opening 4. Said rails '7 and'S are connected with the end walls 1 and 2 by flashings 10 shown in Fig. I, and may include the stationary sash 11 and storm panels 12 at respectively opposite ends of the movable sash 14, which is fitted to close said opening 4. As indicated in Fig. III; said movable sash 14 includes the upper horizontal angle rail 15 provided with hinges 1G, turning upon horizontal axes in connection with said top rail 7, which is stationary; and said sash 14, includes the bottom rail 18, connected with its upper rail 15 byvertical bars 19 and holds the series of lass panels 20.

Each ofsaid vertical columns 5, of said wall 3, has a single fulcrum cross bar 22 which is rigidly mounted above the bottom rail 8 of said opening 4, as shown in Fig. III. As best shownin Fig. I; said bar 22 supports'the fulcrums of the group of four levers 24,25, 26 and 27. Said lever 24 is the outer right hand lever, shown in Fig.

V,' which has its free end directly pivotally connected with the inner end of the sash link 29, shown in Fig. IV. Said link 29 has its outer end directly pivotally connected with the bottom rail 18 of said sash .14. Said outer right hand lever 24 is pivo'tally connected, by the lever coupling link 31, with the inner right hand lever 25, by the pivotal clamp fitting 32, which, as shown in. Figs. III and X, includes a pair of complementary, interlocked, clamp plates which are compressed by the pivot bolt 34, so as to rigidly connect said fitting with the transmission rod 35, which forms the major part of the lower reach of the endless belt aforesaid; which, under tension in the direction of the arrow in Fig. II, carries said fitting 32 to the left, to the position shown in Figs. I and II, thus operating said right hand pair of levers and said links, to pull said sash14 shut; to the position shown in the Tension upon said rod 35, in the opposite direction, shifts said lever and link'mechanism to open saidsash 14.

Said lever 26 is the outer left hand lever, shown in Fig. VIII, which has its free end directly pivotally connected with the inner end of one of the sash links 29, shown in Fig. IV. Said link 29 has its outer end directly connected with the bottom rail of said sash 14. Said outer left hand lever 26 is pivotally connected, by the lever coupling link 31, with the inner left hand lever 27, by another pivotal clamp fitting 32; so as to rigidly connect that fitting with the transmission rod 37, which forms the major part of the upper reach of the endless belt aforesaid, of which said rod 35 forms the lower reach. .Said rod 37, under tension in the direction of the arrow in Fig. II, 7 carries its fitting 32 to the right, to the pos1-.

tion shown in Figs. I and II, thus operating said left hand pair of levers and said links, to pull said sash 14 shut; to the position shown in the drawings. Tension upon said rod 37, in the opposite direction, shifts said lever and link mechanisms to open said sash -14. It is to be particularly notedthat the construction and arrangement of said lever and link mechanisms above described is such that the levers 25 and 27 and links 31 overlap in a mutually sustaining relation, in support of said transmission rods 35 and 37. 1

That is to say, tension upon said endless belt, including said rods 35 and 37, such as to increase thflllOllZOIlilELl distance between the respective pivotal fittings 32 on said rods, draws the shutter 14 into closed posi-' tion, whereas, tension upon said rods in the opposite direction, tending to decrease the horizontal distance between their respective pivotal fittings 32, operates said lever and link mechanisms to open said sash 14.

Said transmission rods 35 and 37 may be coupled by any convenient means to effect the movements thereof above described; however,I prefer to operate them by an endless belt havin the specific construction and arrangement which I have illustrated.

As best shown in Fig. II; said transmission rod 35 has, at its left hand end, the turnbuckle 39 and hook bolt 40 for adjustable connection with the fiexible connector 41; conveniently an ordinary oval link chain, the accidental disengagement of which is prevented by the keeper clamp 42 extending across the bight ofsaid hook bolt 40." Said chain 41 extends freely around the sheave around and is engaged bythe sprocket wheel 54which is journaled in the frame 55 piv having the endless chain 63 engaged there' on and pending in convenient position to be pulled by the operator.

The opposlteends of said belt' chains 41 and 51 are connected by said transmission rod- 37 and its appurtenances which, as

shownin Fig. II, are precisely like the trans-' mission rod 35 and its appurtenances, ex-

cept that they are in reversed position. The extent of-movement of said endless belt, comprising the transmission rods 35 and 37, and chains 41 and 51, is limited by the two" stops '65 and '66 upon saidchain-51; each of said stops including a pair of-angle plates connected by a bolt extending through a link of that chain, as shown in Fig. II."

Said mechanism is operated as follows:

It being desired to opensaid sash 14; the portion of said chain 63 remote from the observer of Fig. II is drawn downwardly by the operator,-thusturning said worm gear 59 in the direction of the arrow on that figure, and thereby drawing the lower reach of said chain51 and the transmission rod 35 tothe right, and simultaneously, by means of the chain 41, drawing said transmission rod 37 totheleft, in Fig.=II. The eflect of such movement is to decrease the horizontal distance between the respective pivotal fittings 32 on said rods 35 and 37, and thus swing the levers 24, 25, 26 an'd'27 outwardly and, by means of the links 29, thrusting said sash uniformly upon opposite'sides of the vertical column 5, cause said-sash to swing outwardly upon its hinges '16. Although the extreme extent of such movement is limited by the stop 65, upon the lower reach of said chain51, encountering the frame 55; such movement may be stopped with the'sash in any desired intermediate position; en-

gagement of said worm wheel 59 with said worm 6O preventing accidental displacement of said sash from any position in which it may be set by the operator. Reverse movement ofv said sash operating mechanism, to close saidsash 14, is effected by the operatorpulling downwardly upon the reach of the chain 63 nearest tothe observer of Fig. II, and the xtremeextent'of such movement is limited by said stop 66, engaged with the upperreach of said chain 51, encountering said frame Although said sash 14 is illustrated in closed position,

with said stop 66 slightly removed from said frame 55; it is to be understood that said stop is placed in that position upon said chain t0 compensate for lost motion incident to wear of the several transmlssion elements, but" said stop 66-is so positioned as to prevent any such strain upon the transmission elements as would sufiice to break them or said sash. Of course, the turnbuckles 39 may be' readily adjusted, at any time, to take up any increment in slack of the endless belt, so as to continuously maintain the same:at thet proper tension. Moreover, although said stops 65 and 66 are only adjustable upon the chain 51, in steps equal to the length of a link of that chain; more precise adjustment ofthe position of said stops with 'respect to said frame 55, may be effected by manipulation of said turnbuckles 39. More over, vby manipulation'of said turnbuckles 39, the relative position of said "rods'35 and 37 may beadjustably varied'to precisely adjust the relation of the lever-mechanism to said closure.v '1 1 v 1 Although I prefer to make the-levers and links above described of ordinary commercial shapes of iron orsteel bars which may be cut and riveted together in the relation shown invFigs. IV, V, VI, VIII-and IX,

and to form said pivotal clamps 32' of castings; I do'not desire to limit myself to the 1 specific details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein,

without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in theappended claims. ia Although I have found it convenient to illustrate myinvention with reference to a continuous window sash, as above explained, it is applicable tomove any structure which may-be used to control the effective area of 7 any opening and, therefore, in the following claims, I use the term closure as descriptive of any such movable structure.

I'claim: 1. The combination with a structure hav ing an opening, the effective area ofwhich is to be controlled; of a closure arranged in movable relation with said opening; a column intermediate of the'extent of said opening; a fulcrum cross baron said c0lumn; a group of four levers, comprislng opposltely meeting said levers in pairs, upon respectlvely opposlte sides of said column; said lever coupling links and inner levers being overlapped in mutually sustaining relation;

links respectively pivotally connected at one end'with the free ends of the outer levers of said pairs, and pivotally connected at the other end with said closure; clamp fittings at the pivotalconnections vof said'coupling linkswith the inner levers of. saidpairs,

adapted for adjustable engagement with transmission rods; transmission rods re-.

. nectedflatione end .with thefreeuend of one spectively engaged: by said: clamp :fittingsyc plvotaliconnectlon of said couplinglinkwith and formlngqoppositea reaches of anendless belt, including; flexible. connectorsv between,

said transmission rods, at the end bights of said :belt;;each-.of:said rods-having a hook in unitary relation. therewith at one .end en-- gaged. withione of said connectors,:and-a hooksconnectedxwith' said rod. by a turnbuckleatthe other end, and in engagement with the {other ofsaid connectors; one of said connectors .being: a sprocket chain;. wheelsv supporting said belt byv engagement; withusaidufiexible. connectors; one of said. Wheels. being, a sprocket wheel engagingsaid sprocketwchain; a worm wheel carried by.

said -sprocket..wheel; a worm engaging said worm wheel andmeans whereby said wormtending transversely thereto; and. means an ranged to actuatensaidalevers to move said T closure.

may be" rotated, to shift said belt ;-1 frames supporting said wheels at the oppositeends justable stopsiupon" said sprocket chain, arranged to limitthe movement-of said belt,

with reference to the .frame in iwhich said' opposite reaches of an endless belt; flexible sprocket wheel is journaled.

2. The combination with a structure having an opening, the effective areaof which. is to "becontrolled;:ofa closure arranged in movable relationpwith'said opening); a 'col-.

i=umnin-termediate of the extent of said opening; a fulcrum crossbar on. said column-fa lever coupling links and :the 1 inner levers of said pairs being overlapped in mutually sustaining' relation links respectively, pivotallyi connected at oneend with :the free ends of the outer levers of said pairs, :and pivotally connected at the other end with said closure; clamp fittingsv at the pivotal connections of said coupling 'li-nks'with the. innerlevers of v said pairs-adaptedfor adjustable engagement with transmission rods and transmission rods respectively engaged by'said clamp fittings, and forming opposite reaches of an endless belt,-including, flexible. connectors between said itransm-ission rods, a'at posite reaches of an endless beltjflexible connectors betweensaidtransmission rods, :at the end :bightsof saidbelt;eaoh of said the end bights of said belts;

3; .The combination witha structure having. an opening, the a, effective area of; which is to be -controlled; of a closurearranged-in movable relation. with said opening; ;a

connecting. said levers; a link pivotally conlever of said pair, and pivotally connected at the other .end withsaid closure; a compress siblef'bifuroated clamp fittinwforming. the

rod; anda.transmission rodengaged by said clamp: fitting, and .arrangedto actuate said. .levers to move said closurefi 4. The combination witha structure ham 1ng :an opening, the efiective area ofwhich is to be;controlled=; of a closure arranged in link-;;a:second;lev'er pivotally connected with movable relation with saidqopening; a lever. pivotally connected with said closure by a said first lever, by another link; said second 1 lever being 'L-shaped and having a portion normally; extending parallel with, and 'sup-... portingisaidsecond-dink, anda portion ex- 5. zTh'eqcombination with the closureefor an opening; of means arranged to move including ..-two transmission; rods form-mg connectors-between said transmission rods, at the end. bight's; of said :belt; each of said rods having ahook in unitary relation therew1t-h at one end:engaged:with.one of said.

connectors-,.='-and -a hookv connected with said rod by-a turnbuckle. at the otherend, and

in "engagement with the. other of said con.- nectors; one ofsaid-coiinectors be1ng a sprocket chain wheels supporting said belt by engagement with said flexible connectors; one of said wheels-being a sprocket wheel engaging said sprocket chain; aworm gear xcarried with said sprocket vwheel;-;a wormengaging said worm gear; means whereby said worm may be rotated, to shiftsaid belt; frames supporting saidwheels at the oppo-' site ends of said belt; .meanspivotally sup-.

porting said frames; and two adjustable stops upon said sprocket chain, arranged to limit the movement of said belt, with refer- "ence'to the frame in which said sprocket wheel is journaled;

6. Th :combination with the closure 'for 'psaid closure and hold. it in adjustedposition, 1

an opening; of means arranged to move said closure and'hold it in adjustedposition, in-. cluding two transmission rods. forming oprods having a hook in unitary relation there- ,with at onerend engaged with {one ofsaid connectors, and a hook connected with said rod by. a turnbuckle'at the other end, and in engagement with the other of said connectors; one of said connectorsbelng a sprocket chain; wheels supporting said belt by. en-- gagementwith saidflex'ible connectors; one of said. wheels being a sprocket wheel encarried by said sprocket wheel; a. worm en-" gaging said sprocket chain; a worm gear gaging said worm gear; means whereby said worm may be rotated, to shift said belt; frames supporting said wheels at the opposite ends of said belt; and means pivotally supporting said frames.

7. An article of manufacture, adapted to operate the closure for an opening, comprising an endless belt, including transmission rods, forming opposite reaches thereof; flexible connectors between said rods, in the bights of said belt; each of said rods having a hook in unitary relation therewith at one end engaged with one of said connectors, and a hook connected with said rod by a turnbuckle at the other end, and in engagement with the other of said connectors; one of said connectors being a sprocket chain.

8. An article of manufacture, adapted to operate the closure for an opening, comprising an endless belt, including transmission rods, forming opposite reaches thereof; flexible connectors between said rods, including sprocket chains in the bights of said belt; sprocket wheels engaging said chains; and stops adjustably engaged with one of said chains arranged to limit the movement of said belt by said wheels.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Vania, this 25th day of March, 1919.

CHARLES RUPP. Witnesses:

Y ARTHUR E. PAIGE,

CAROLYN E. REUTER. 

